The Life And Ministry Of Frederick Holden

Earthen Vessel 1892:

Mr. Fredrick Cooper Holden, Pastor, Elim Chapel, Limehouse, London. 

Dear Brother Winters,—At your repeated and special request, I send a few particulars respecting myself, for insertion in the Earthen Vessel & Gospel Herald.

I was born into this world on June 5th, 1834, in the village of Brettenham, near Wattisham, Suffolk. When I was about three years old my parents removed to Rattlesden, where I lived with them until I was 16, attending the Baptist Chapel there, of which my grandfather, the late John Cooper, of Drinkstone, may be said to have been the founder. Both my parents were members of the Church meeting there, and my father, Michael Holden, was well known among the Churches in Suffolk for many years. I have nothing special to record in relation to my boyhood, except that I was generally considered to be a quiet and rather serious lad. Indeed, almost as far back as I can remember, I was the subject of serious impressions, but I do not think they were anything more than natural. Yet I believe at the age of 14 I could have been persuaded to be baptized and join the Church.

At the age of 16 I came to London, and being fond of singing, I soon imbibed a taste for carnal and worldly songs, which led me, whenever opportunity offered, into haunts of vice that I had previously been an utter stranger to. Happily for me, my opportunities were but few; but my inclinations at this time were to run wild and enjoy all I could of the pleasures of sin. When about 17 the Lord convinced me of my state as a sinner, whilst ruminating one evening upon some of the events of my life, and amongst them the death of my dear mother. An altogether sudden and indescribable sense of my lost condition seized upon me. I tried all I could to shake it off, but it returned a second and third time with redoubled force, and shook me to the very centre of my being. I became so terrified and hopeless that I dared not use words in prayer. I felt that if I presumed to utter the words I had been accustomed to repeat-viz., “Our Father who art in heaven”—that I should be at once consigned to everlasting destruction. I could only inwardly groan and sigh and cry for mercy. This continued, with some intermission, for a considerable time, until I was encouraged by a sermon of the late Philip Dickerson, from Rom. 7:23, to venture and approach the Lord in prayer, but for a time I had little access, and still less liberty in the exercise; still, I could not give it up. This severe conflict went on for several months, until at last, my steps being directed one Sabbath evening to Zoar, Great Alie-street, I was set at liberty under a sermon by the late A. B. Taylor, of Manchester. After that nothing but a discriminating, experimental, full weight Gospel ministry would do for me.

I went to hear James Wells, at the old Surrey Tabernacle, Borough-road, where my soul was richly fed and greatly blessed, until in the providence of God I went back into Suffolk, where I was baptized by the late Mr. G. Ridley, and joined the little Church at Wetherden the first Lord’s-day in January, 1856. The following year, September, 1857, I married Susanna, the youngest daughter of Mr. John Clarke. of Wetherden, who has proved in every sense to be a treasure to me, not-withstanding her long affliction.

In the year 1862 I returned to London, and to the ministry of James Wells. My soul became more than ever rooted and grounded in new covenant truth, which so endeared the Lord to me that I have many times been scarcely able to refrain from outbursts of joy, being obliged to suppress my feelings. Tears of joy, melting hot, have trickled from my eyes. But it was not always so, as the conflicts of my soul with Satan and with sin were sometimes very sharp, and the exercises of my mind very great. I had no idea what the Lord was training me for. I was at college, and did not know it. In 1865 I joined the Church at the new Surrey Tabernacle, and about two years after that began first to give addresses at a prayer-meeting held at Kennington by friends connected with the Surrey Tabernacle. Shortly after that I was called to supply Churches in the country, and also in London, which I did constantly for about six years, following my daily occupation, which was somewhat laborious, all the week.

At length a way was opened for me to give up my secular calling and devote myself wholly to the work of the ministry. I received and accepted a call to the pastorate at College-park, Lewisham, and was duly and publicly recognised as such, brethren Hazelton, Anderson, Meeres, and Mead officiating. Although the cause prospered during my stay, the Lord greatly blessing His Word, circumstances quickly transpired which convinced me I must send in my resignation. This was accepted, and for a few months I preached the Gospel to some of the Lord’s dear people meeting in a railway arch at Peckham. Subsequently I received an invitation to supply the friends meeting at Cover-dale-rooms, Limehouse, Lords-day, Sept. 9th, 1877, and after supplying them regularly for a few months I was unanimously chosen to the pastorate, which, by the gracious favour and help of the Lord, I continue still to hold; and when I reflect upon what has been accomplished through my humble instrumentality, the numbers that have been gathered into the Church, the numbers that have been taken home, and the numbers still remaining in the Church and congregation, who continue, after 14 years, to hear the Word with acceptance and profit; when I remember that a substantial freehold chapel has been built and paid for, which is secured to our beloved denomination for ever, costing upwards of £2,000, I can but exclaim, “What hath God wrought?”

In conclusion, let me say that having learned the Gospel, which I am helped to preach at home and elsewhere, by heartfelt experience, nothing else will ever do for me. 

“The only Gospel I can own

Sets Jesus Christ upon His throne, 

Proclaims salvation full and free, 

Obtained on Calvary’s rugged tree.”

I rejoice that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I must say I still feel I am chief.

Yours faithfully and affectionately in Jesus,

F. C. Holden